Pastor's Blog

The Fragance of Love 3/21/10

KJV John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let (singular you) her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; (plural) but me ye have not always.

A supper was made in honor of Jesus, and along with Him were the 12 disciples, Martha, Mary and Lazaras who gathered the home of Simon the leper in Bethany for this festive meal. It is toward the end of Jesus' public ministry as He prepares to enter into His final week of His time on this earth, and to his suffering, to his death and to his resurrection from the dead. He comes to this dinner knowing that as he enters His week of passion that it is He who is preparing for the Eternal Marriage Supper that He himself invites all to participate in. There has been much rejoicing over the raising of Lazarus from the dead and especially to Mary is given the eye to see that Jesus is the Messiah who himself will suffer for the sins of the world. In her life that is chronicled by the Scripture, we see that Mary was often at the feet of Jesus.

KJV Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.KJV Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

She had fell down at this feet in supplication and worship at the death of her brother. KJV John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

And in our text, she had anointed his feet with the costly ointment of spikenard in devotion to her Savior. Words are not sufficient to express the gratitude, adoration and love of Mary for Jesus, for she remained silent during this time of outward showing of her devotion. It is not clear how this act was perceived by the 11 disciples (Judas' response will be discussed later) or by Martha or Lazarus, but to the Object of her affection it is very clear as to what she is doing. There must have been great rejoicing taking place as they gathered around the table with the One whom had called Lazarus unto life, so that they would see the glory of God. KJV John 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

In the few accounts of the life of Mary, we are given to see that she had a meditative and contemplative nature which caused her to spend time reflecting on the things of God while her sister Martha possessed a more practical and serving type of nature. Both of these gifts are highly valued in God's sight, for they have been given so that they may complement one another. The largest snapshot of their life together is given in the 11th chapter of John's gospel, the one just previous to the one in which our text of meditation is contained. We will make a brief journey through the chapter and then return to our meditation on the first eight verses of chapter 12.

KJV John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. 5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

Their brother got sick and his sisters sent news unto Jesus letting Him know that the one who he loved was sick. Jesus responded by saying that this sickness is not unto death, but that through the sickness of their brother that God was going to glorify/honor His Son. So there is not doubt as to Jesus' heart, John writes that Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Jesus waited and did not rush to the aid of those He loved....They waited, and waited, and waited...

We pick up the account again which concerns Martha and Mary in verse 17.17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: (two miles) 19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Their brother had already been in the grave four days and many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary in order to bring them comfort at their great loss. Finally Jesus came to their aid, coming to the edge of town, Martha and not Mary, went out to meet Him and said these words: "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother would not have died." She went on to express her faith and trust in her Lord, implying that now that He is here that He could make their brother (and dear friend) alive again. How did Jesus respond to that?

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.Jesus spoke to her of the resurrection to life, but Martha at this point seemed to understand in a general resurrection from the dead, but did not seem to understand the implication of Jesus' words. For He continued to speak with her...

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?He explained to Martha that because He is the resurrection and the life, death has no power over all those who believe in Him. He asks her a probing question; "Do you believe this?"

27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.She replies and gives witness of her faith in Him.

28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.After she testified of her faith, Martha went back and called her sister Mary secretly and told Mary that the Master is now here and He is calling for you. Mary lost no time in going out to see Jesus.

30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him. 31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.John inserts here what others who were watching thought.

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept.Mary said the same words that her sister had said to Jesus when she first saw Him. Jesus did not respond in the same manner to Mary that He had unto Martha, but He asked as to where the body of Lazarus was laid. And God then wept....Is He weeping because He sees the ravages of what the fall into sin has brought upon mankind, death, sorrow, weeping.?

36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?Again John inserts the comments of the onlookers who were watching all this right in front of their eyes. They had just recently seen that the blind man had been given his sight and they asked the question as to whether Jesus could have prevented this man from dying?

38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?Martha, the practical one who testified that she believes that He is the Son of God is again in the story as she protests that it is too late for her brother has been dead for four days already. Jesus reminds her of what He had earlier told her, that she was going to see the glory of God if she would believe..

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him goThen Jesus prayed to His Father, spoke for the benefit of those who were hearing so that they would know that Jesus was acting in behalf of and for the glory of His Father, and then He called Lazarus unto life from the dead. . 45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and having seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.John now gives this detail of how the Jews came to Mary, they had seen the things that Jesus did, and they believed on him. Why does John give this detail that they came to Mary, and Martha is not mentioned along with her? It is not clear as to why John does not mention Martha.

As often is the case with Jesus, He states the truth that He wants to teach and reveal, then He uses either a parable, an actual happening or as in this case, a miracle to illustrate a deep truth. Here in this chapter He uses real life to set the stage so that He might reveal Himself to His loved ones, Martha, Mary and Lazarus as well as others who were there. He is using this happening which culminates in the miracle of the resurrection to illustrate His death, His burial and His resurrection. He sets the stage from a distance and waits for things to develop, when Martha comes to Him in her grief He explains the teaching, when Mary comes to Him He then sets in motion the illustration of His resurrection, and before all He calls Lazarus back to life. No wonder there was a dinner being given in honor of Jesus by Martha, Mary and Lazarus.

KJV John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

The three are listed here. Martha (surprise..) is serving, Lazarus is at the table with Jesus. What was he thinking? And Mary, well, she took some very costly ointment that she had been keeping for this occasion. It is not said as to where she obtained this, but from another account it is clear that she knew why she was doing what she was doing.

Matthew 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

She understood now what had been illustrated by her brother dying and being raised from the dead. She understood now that Jesus was the Messiah who had been promised and that because of His death and resurrection, the Gospel would be preached in the whole world. Her act of devotion based upon the revelation of the purpose of God through His Son would be remembered all through the ages. Note that in our text, it says that after she anointed His feet with the oil, that she wiped His feet with her hair, and as a result the whole house was filled with the odour of the ointment. She understood the nature of the kingdom of God, that it was not an earthly kingdom that Jesus had come to set up. But it was a kingdom came to bring life to the dead through the humble act of service by Jesus in that He layed down His life that all might live.She understood that He came to serve and not to be served. She understood that God was motivated by love and compassion to send His Son to redeem us. She understood that and as a result she worshipped......She worshipped...

She put that which was very valuable to her onto his fee, used that which was her glory, her hair to wipe His feet, and the room was filled with the effect of her act of humble devotion. It is no wonder that Jesus described what she did as being the preaching of the gospel. This is certainly a time when the gospel was preached without words. For whenever the gospel is preached, whenever Christ is preached, and whereever it is grasped and believed, a perfume of grace will be present and will beckon all to receive Him.. Not only that, wherever those who have received this grace gospel are and whereever they travel, the perfume of love and grace will be present.

But not all understand....not all see....not all believe...

4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let (singular you) her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; (plural) but me ye have not always.

Jesus addresses Judas firstly, and then all those who did not understand what was going on. Judas said, as well as the disciples likewise, that this was a waste of money to pour out this ointment on Jesus and that it would have been better to sell it so that the poor could be helped. The problem with Judas was that he was a double minded person who carried the money all right, but would take money out for own use at times. Jesus points to the main thought here in that He is the Source of help to all, even to the poor in a temporal sense. He points to Himself as the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no one comes unto the Father except by Him. (John 14:6)

God has sent His Son to us to reveal His heart of grace and truth to us, which is by Christ Jesus. He has come to find us, for we are a pearl of great price. Jesus spoke this parable: KJV Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:KJV Matthew 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Conclusion and ReflectionGod has given His Son so that we might be bought back to Himself, He has given us His Word which tells of His acts and doings concerning His seeking to find us so that we might be one with Him in Christ. He has given us His Spirit which speaks of and which illuminates the Spirit of Christ into our hearts by faith. As we consider the lives of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus and how God chose to reveal Himself to them. we find ourselves thinking about how God has revealed Himself to us, is revealing Himself to us, and we eagerly await further revelation in the future. Revelation does not necessarily come by book learning, but it comes as a result of the heart of God being understood and received into our heart by faith. It starts early in life, for consider the experience of this young lad...

There was a young lad about 10 years old, and there was a new highway was being built by his home. There was an apple tree right next to the area in which the workmen were taking a lunch break.. The apples were growing larger and larger, but there was one apple way up in the top of the tree that the young lad was keeping an eye on. One day one of the workers asked the young lad to get him an apple. To this day the young boy remembers the joy he experienced in his heart as he climbed up to the top of the tree, plucked off his prized apple, climbed down the tree and presented to the man the most beautiful and tastiest apple of the tree. In some way, that young lad understood that inspite of how good that apple might have tasted for him to eat, it was better to give the apple to someone else. It brought joy to his heart to give his prized apple away. I believe that God gave that knowledge through the nurturing of his parents and early spiritual teachers, but ultimately it was revelation from the heart of God of what true happiness is. The gospel is seen and grasped at a very early age.

Therefore....a thought and a couple of questions for pondering.

1. He has joyfully come to serve us for our salvation? How will we respond to such love?

2. As the room was filled with the fragrance of Mary's inner devotion to Jesus and which was expressed outwardly, likewise that which we are in our lives inwardly will be expressed by our attitudes, actions and words. What kind of a fragrance is left amongst our family, our congregation, our community after we have been in their midst?

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